Nov 5th strike by firefighters foiled as historical records show date is wrong.

The proposed strike by firefighters for bonfire night as been thwarted today by records showing that the attempt of blowing up Parliament by Guy Fawkes and his cronies was infact attempted on the 4th of November and not the 5th as we've been misled into believing for the past 405 years.
'If my findings are correct then the occasion of bonfire night will never be the same again' explained British Museum Historian Professor Richard Piggot ' aside from that the need for a big gesture by firefighters to strike on the date is now pointless'.

When asked for the records to be produced to back up his new claim Professor Piggot was less than forthcoming but was seen to quickly slip a governmental requistion from the fire ministry into the top draw of his desk.

When challenged on the contents of the letter the Professor quickly rebuffed suggestions that the Fire Minster Bob Neil had requested him to make up an alternative date for bonfire night from false records as a desperate attempt to avert the strike, 'not at all! How dare you suggest such a thing' snapped the angry Prof ' now if you excuse i've now got some important research to look into to varify the real date of Christmas just in case Royal Mail decide to go on strike before it again'.

I like the thought of arsonists complaining that Bonfire Night has become too commercial. Their one special night when they can legitimately set light to things without fear of prosecution has taken away from them by too many who don't have the same belief and passion for fires as they do. Their patron saint, Guy Fawkes, would be turning on his spit.